Your Doctor Said What? Exposing the Communication Gap

By Terrie Wurzbacher

Even though risking the wrath of her fellow physicians, Dr. Terrie Wurzbacher decided that it was time that fingers were pointed. "Your Doctor Said What?" is a result of her 30 years of experience... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 159930029X
• ISBN13: 9781599300290
• Release Date: December 2006
• Publisher: LifeSuccess Publishing
• Length: 240 Pages
• Weight: 0.65 lbs.

Customer Reviews

Your Doctor Said What? Exposing the Communication Gap

Dr. Terrie Wurzbacher has obviously had a visit to my doctor. The author describes the harrowing experience of setting up an appointment (all those questions that I haven't a clue how to answer), waiting in the waiting room for hours (no one willing to look at each other let alone smile), speaking to the receptionist through plexi-glass (announcing to the whole room my most intimate concerns), the ROOM (enough said), the battery of tests (or more appointments so that I have to take another day off work), and finally the moment when the doctor tells me that she hasn't a clue what I have but that I should lose twenty pounds. Of course, this experience is quickly followed by the worry that your illness is all in your head and your family members quizzing you on the results of your doctor's appointment. Your Doctor Said What? Does two things. First, it reminds patients that their experiences at the doctor's office are not unique. We all feel like children being scolded when we visit the doctor. We all feel frustrated that the doctor just doesn't have the time or the inclination to actually help us. Finally, we all think that doctors speak another language. Secondly, this book tells us real things that we can do to make our experience slightly less hellish. We can write down our full medical history, our symptoms, and our questions before the appointment and take them with us. We can actually ask questions (we have the right) and even ask the doctor to explain what he or she means by certain terms. Your Doctor Said What? seeks to bring doctors and patients together to create better overall service. Probably to think that doctors are going to suddenly become more empathetic is a little naïve, most people looking for more human health care turn to homeopathic and alternative health resources. Nonetheless, by educating ourselves and demanding answers, we can take a stand for our own health.

A "must-have" for anyone nervous about medical visits.

Dr. Terrie Wurzbacher applies her 30 years experience in the medical profession to Your Doctor Said What?: Exposing The Communication Gap, a no-nonsense look at common problems obstructing doctor-patient communication, and therefore impeding proper medical care. Written in an informal tone for lay readers and medical professionals alike, though especially valuable for patients and their relatives who feel confused and helpless while trying to talk to medical professionals, Your Doctor Said What? discusses common - and from the author's point of view, questionable - practices, such as allotting patients a maximum of 10 minutes to explain what's wrong, forcing patients to wait a long time in a skimpy hospital gown, and the seemingly impenetrable barriers erected by answering services. Your Doctor Said What? walks readers through why doctors say the things they do, and offers valuable advice for both patients ("Do NOT wait till the very end and realize that he hasn't given you any medication or shots. You have to strategically time your questions and requests.") and medical professionals ("Don't assume that the first problem is the most important problem. Sometimes patients 'lead into' what is really bothering them.") Enthusiastically recommended, especially as reading material for doctor's waiting rooms, and a "must-have" for anyone nervous about medical visits.

Highly recommend

Reviewed by Debra Gaynor for Reader Views (1/07) Going to a doctor should be a two-way conversation. But many times the doctor doesn't seem to hear the words from you mouth. Dr. Terrie Wurzbacher discusses opening the lines of communication between doctors and their patients. In some instances the doctor sounds like the teacher in a Charlie Brown cartoon. The patient hears something coming out of his/her mouth but it's not in terms the patient can understand. Sometimes the patient talks to the doctor but the doctor is too busy to listen or just doesn't want to. The doctor has a lot of responsibility in health care. But so does the patient. It's up to the patient to take charge of his/her own care, to be aware of his/her own body and what that body is saying. It is up to the patient to communicate that information to the doctor. The doctor can not read the patient's mind. If the doctor isn't listening the patient should either demand the doctor's attention or seek a different doctor. A patient should write down their history, medications and symptoms before seeing the doctor. I've been doing this for several years and my doctor is very appreciative of my active involvement in my own health care. Dr. Terrie Wurzbacher author of "Your Doctor Said What?" is the doctor we all desire. This book is surprisingly honest discussion of health care. Dr. Wurzbacher strives to improve dialogue between patients and their doctors. She stresses the need to educate ourselves and take charge of our own health care. This book is well written and extremely informative. I really enjoyed reading it. I highly recommend this book to everyone for we should all be concerned about our health.